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GOODS ACROSS BORDERS

DUTY-FREE ALLOWANCES

🇨🇳 China

REGIONASIA PACIFIC
CUSTOMS AUTHORITYGeneral Administration of Customs of China (GACC)
VAT RATE13%

Duty-Free Allowances

CategoryAllowance
Alcohol1.5L
Cigarettes400
Personal goods valueUS$730
Duty-free for travelers entering China: 1.5L of alcohol (≥12% ABV), 400 cigarettes or 100 cigars or 500g tobacco, and personal goods (excluding alcohol and tobacco) with total value of RMB 5,000 (~$730 USD). Chinese residents returning from abroad who exceed this limit pay customs duty on the excess. Residents of Hong Kong and Macao have a lower allowance.

Duty-free for travelers entering China: 1.5L of alcohol (≥12% ABV), 400 cigarettes or 100 cigars or 500g tobacco, and personal goods (excluding alcohol and tobacco) with total value of RMB 5,000 (~$730 USD). Chinese residents returning from abroad who exceed this limit pay customs duty on the excess. Residents of Hong Kong and Macao have a lower allowance.

Cash Declaration Threshold

US$5,000DECLARATION REQUIRED ABOVE THIS AMOUNT

Local currency equivalent: CNY

Travelers carrying cash, traveler's cheques, or negotiable instruments above this threshold must declare them at customs on arrival.

Special Notes

  • 01All imported food must come from GACC-registered overseas facilities — exporters to China need to register with GACC.
  • 02China's import tariffs and trade measures have been subject to significant changes in the context of US-China trade tensions.
  • 03VAT on imports is 13% (standard) or 9% (for some goods like agricultural products).
  • 04The National Customs Clearance Integration Reform (NCCIR) unified customs administration.
  • 05Special cross-border e-commerce zones (Hainan Free Trade Port, etc.) offer preferential import rules.
  • 06China restricts VPN and internet-related product imports.
  • 07Annual individual cross-border e-commerce limit is RMB 26,000.
RULES5,339COUNTRIES85ITEMS111CARRIERS28GUIDES37UNIQUE SOURCES614LATEST VERIFICATION2026-05-13MethodologyChangelog